Almay Intense i-Color Shimmer-i Kit in Trio for Browns Swatches, Review and EotD

Almay has three different kinds of eyeshadow trios: shimmer, smokey and bold nudes.  All three formulas come in trios that are meant to compliment your eye color.  They have sets for brown, blue, hazel, and green eyes.  I don't think the colors are particularly well chosen for the eye colors they are meant for, because the shadows actually match the eye color they are meant to enhance.  Contrasting colors work better to intensify eye color (like coppers and browns for blue eyes, not blues for blue eyes).  Anyhow, you certainly don't need to choose the trio based on eye color.  For example,  I chose to buy the Intense i-Color Shimmer-i Kit in Trio for Browns because of the pretty peachy gold lid color.

The plastic packaging feels pretty cheap, but I think the way the shadows are shaped like an eyelid is cute.

I wasn't expecting too much from this, honestly, but I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and blendable the shadows are.  The first time I used it, I over applied the dark brown color, but was able to blend it out easily.  The lighter colors aren't as pigmented as the dark brown, but they look more intense over a primer.  The lid color is quite soft and buttery.

The lid color is a golden shimmery iridescent peach.  The crease color is a satin (not completely matte) dark brown, and the highlight color is a slightly shimmery ivory.  The highlight seems to have a blueish pearlescence that makes it look almost white.  Beautiful!

However... even with a primer, the shadows crease on me slightly after a few hours.  Now, I do have rather oily eyelids, and a lot creases on me -- even shadows (with a primer) like Urban Decay, and the Maybelline color tattoos that seem to be bulletproof on just about everybody.  

Here's the eye of the day it created using the trio.  I placed the shadows how they are shown in the palette.

Because of the creasing issue, I can't give these a total thumbs up for oily eyelids.  I give it a thumbs up for everything else about it, though.  I think this trio would probably work just great on someone with non-oily eyelids.

So, the upshot of this review is: I think this trio is quite pretty and I definitely like it.  It just seems easy to use and great for an everyday neutral look.  The creasing doesn't really bother me because I'm used to it.  The Almay eyeshadow trios retail for around $7 USD.

Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Lilac Love Swatches and Review

It seems like Almay doesn't generally get too much attention or love for some reason.  Maybe they've had sort of average/boring products for too long.  I think they are really stepping up they're game recently, though.  I don't think they offered any lip products for a few years (correct me if I'm wrong), but last year they introduced a liquid lip balm.  I've been on the radiant orchid kick, and I had been wanting try one of these "balms" for a while because I'd heard good things about them.  I decided to try the color Lilac Love, which seems like a color that fits with the whole orchid color theme that Pantone decided would be the "color of the year".

The applicator on the wand is a standard slanted doe-foot tip.

It has pretty good pigmentation (although on the lips it has less pigment than the swatches), feels like a medium-weight gloss (not too thin, not too heavy), not at all sticky, and quite hydrating.  It has a fairly strong vanilla scent that lingers slightly after application.

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Lilac Love has very very tiny blue glitters in it that aren't really apparent on the lips unless you are looking in a magnification mirror.

This "liquid lip balm" is, I think, just a more interesting name for a hydrating lip gloss.

I'm pretty impressed by this "liquid lip balm" and really like the color.

It matches Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Punch Drunk quite nicely.

Have you tried any of these liquid lip balms?

My Favorite Makeup Removal Products

I have to admit I'm a little lazy when removing my makeup.  I prefer using pre-moistened makeup removing pads and cleansing cloths rather than using removers you have to put on cotton balls and such.  I keep them on my beside table so that if I'm too tired to wash my face (it happens!) I will at least remember to remove my makeup.

I first use Almay's Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover pads, which are oil based.  I prefer an oil-based remover since it seems to dissolve the eye makeup better than an oil-free remover.  Plus I like the moisturizing feel.

Next, I use the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes which are impregnated with cleanser that doesn't require rinsing (some cleansing cloths contain ingredients you need to rinse off or they will cause irritation).

Sometimes I stop at that step and don't bother to wash my face if I'm feeling lazy.  However, if I feel like wore a good amount of makeup that day, I will always wash my face.

For cleansing I use the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser and a soft washcloth.  I use my Clarisonic brush in the shower in the morning for exfoliation even though I know it is recommended for thorough makeup removal.  I was using an Olay Regenerist purifying cleanser, but it seems to have been discontinued, so I switched to the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser.

I have been using these same makeup removal products for ages and repurchase them over and over.  They don't irritate my skin and keep it nice and clear.

Do you have any favorite makeup removers?